The garden is on a slope and surrounded by deep shade forest. It gains sunlight in summer but the trees cast long shadows. The layout is designed to ease a difficult transition from driveway to front entrance with access to the side. Two sets of wide steps with a landing between allow for access to the side. Retaining walls were built up on each side to raise the level of the garden higher than the driveway. Concrete blocks were used as the main building material for the walls with a facing of natural sandstone. The steps are built with concrete faced with small element concrete pavers. An ornamental fish pond and rock cascade was integrated into the walling next to the steps where it would have the benefit of maximum sunlight and could be easily viewed.